There are many reasons why we need to hire a reputable legal services provider to handle our affairs, be it making a will, power of attorney, separation, divorce or child custody disputes. Hiring a lawyer to handle your legal issues is imperative in providing you with the best possible chance of reaching your desired outcome. As a qualified practitioner of law, a legal service provider can handle almost any kind of legal dispute, offering legal aid and reduced fees to those who desperately need it. In this article, we take a closer look at some of the key responsibilities carried out by legal professionals and the essential reason why you may need to hire a reputable legal services provider.
Making A Will
When it comes to leaving your personal possessions and finances behind to be shared among a select number of chosen family members and/or friends, making a will is absolutely essential. Failing to do so will result in the incorrect distribution of said finances, which will instead be distributed according to the law rather than the direct wishes of the deceased. A will typically covers some of the following:
● Who will inherit your property, money, assets and/or possessions.
● How your children will be cared for (if applicable).
● Who is responsible for looking after the estate (the executor).
● Funeral arrangements and personal requests.
Hiring a qualified solicitor to handle all will arrangements isn’t a legal requirement but is highly recommended, to help avoid potential legal pitfalls which could result in the will being invalid. If you are writing a will yourself, we recommend that you consult with a legal professional to ensure all legal formalities have been followed correctly.
Power of Attorney
A method of allowing someone other than yourself to make important decisions about your money, property, health and personal welfare, a power of attorney provides legal authority for a trusted relative, loved one or friend to act on your behalf. The powers of attorney can be passed on to either an individual or can be shared by more than one person.
Hiring a power of attorney is recommended to everyone, although frequently used by people who have an illness that will impact their ability to handle their affairs over time, sudden illnesses and accidents can happen to anyone. No one has the legal right to act on your behalf without legal authority, which means in the event of unexpected illnesses, your family or friends will likely have to go to court to get permission to make decisions on your behalf.
Buying Or Selling Property
Hiring a reputable legal services provider to handle all of your property, both in terms of purchasing and selling property, is imperative. A property lawyer specialist will help prevent any potential mistakes or pitfalls in the process, support the legal paperwork and arrange survey reports. Below are the important services a trusted legal provider is responsible for carrying out when assisting you in the buying of a property:
● Finding A Property
● Gathering Information About A Property (Home Reports)
● Arranging A Survey Report
● Arranging The Loan
● Making An Offer/Accepting Offer
● Agreeing On The Contract
● Checking Ownership Documents
● Preparing Transfer Documents
● Transferring The Funds
● Completing the Purchase
Below are the key ways in which a trusted legal service can help with the selling of property:
● Home Reports
● Negotiating The Sale
● The paperwork
● Post-sale Advice
Legal Aid
An essential component of the legal system, helping those in society who are unable to afford legal fees access legal representation and advice at a cost they can handle. There are certain stipulations one must meet to be eligible for legal aid, with very specific situations allowing an individual to qualify. Generally, they are split into two main categories: civil cases and criminal cases.
Civil (Non-Criminal) Cases
Qualifying for legal aid is intended for those who are unable to afford their legal costs, meaning your financial situation is probably serious. This can be a result of many different things, such as debt, family or housing problems, and you will have to prove this with details and evidence of your income, benefits, savings and any property ownership by either you or those of your partner.
Criminal Cases
Whenever you are questioned at a police station, you always have the right to free legal aid and advice regardless of the severity of the case. If you’re under 16 (or 18 and in full-time education) or on certain benefits, you’ll automatically receive legal aid for representation in court.
Divorce & Separation
The end of a relationship can be difficult at the best of times, with tough decisions needing to be made, particularly in the case of children, property and finance. Divorce and separation require expert legal advice, particularly when children are involved, assisting in all legal matters from divorce and separation to the termination of a civil partnership and mediation.
When it comes to divorce specifically, you will require a court order (known as a decree), which will only be granted if there is clear evidence given to the court that your marriage has broken down irretrievably. This will require a professional legal services provider to handle.
Custody Disputes
In many cases of divorce or separation, there will be children involved and this will result in a custody dispute. Custody law determines the person responsible for the primary care and charge of the child after divorce or separation. Hiring a lawyer to handle your custody disputes, particularly if they reach court, is vital in ensuring you receive the right legal advice and services to provide you with the best possible chance of receiving the appropriate custody. A proven lawyer can assist you in drawing up your plans for custody arrangements, submitting them as part of your separation agreement. These arrangements will then be reviewed by the courts.
Employment Disputes
Hiring an employment lawyer for legal representation and advice on your employment rights is highly beneficial, particularly in the event of unfair dismissal or issues with payment and benefits. Hiring professional legal services for employment law advice can help protect your rights at work, protecting you from unsafe working environments, unfair dismissal, harassment or wrongful termination.
Starting A Business
Hiring a solicitor to handle your business needs is imperative, with different businesses requiring different legal requirements, from sole traders to partnerships and limited companies, there’s an awful lot of delicate minutiae to handle no matter what business you’re in. handling taxes, insurance, your staff and the business all requires different practices and temperaments, with essential paperwork and administration important to get right. Your solicitor can provide expert advice on business structure, contracts, assist in the discovery and purchase of property for your business and handle employee contracts and disputes.